The Pros and Cons of Retrofit LED Bulbs

Using retrofit LED bulbs are a quick and easy way to save on energy costs without investing in a complete infrastructure overhaul. While this may appear like an excellent short-term solution, existing fixtures are not the ideal medium to take advantageous of the LED’s unique energy-saving properties.

There is no one standard shape for retrofit LED lamps

Form Factor
Retrofit bulbs, also called lamps , are designed in such a way as to mimic the shape of an incandescent bulb in order to pair the LED bulb with a socket meant for the latter. Nevertheless, the bulb’s shape is disadvantageous to how LEDs actually work. For example, high-powered LEDs generate an invisible light which in turn excites the high-output phosphors to produce visible light. The bulblike shape of the lamp transforms it into a point-source fluorescent, radiating phosphors in every direction from a concentrated surface area that’s much smaller than a fluorescent tube. Lenses or reflector assemblies are then required to contain the emission and focus it into a desired lumen output.

In essence, the bulb runs counter-productive to the LED’s natural radiation pattern, rendering it less efficient than if the diodes were arranged in a row pattern.

Heat retention
Ceiling light fixtures are often insulated and closed. Their sockets do not retain any heat, resulting in an excessive heat build-up inside the bulb.

Incandescent bulbs retain significantly more heat than retrofit LED lamps before suffering any structural damage, given their lack of electronic components. However, the retrofit LED lamp’s longevity will suffer in a fixture intended for an incandescent bulb.

Socket saturation
Contemporary light fixtures are practically a worldwide standard, creating a vast market potential for selling retrofit LED bulbs. This market is short lived because the opportunity for companies to turn a profit is inherently limited by the time before socket saturation takes hold; the transition to full LED lighting infrastructure. LEDSmagazine reports that this market will mature in as little as five years thanks to
Haitz’s Law.

In essence, Haitz’s Law is the LED equivalent of Moore’s Law. Both laws depend on the optimization of semiconductor devices. Haitz’s Law differs in that that it specifically refers to LEDs, it states: every decade, the cost per lumen (a unit of useful light emitted) falls by a factor of 10, and the amount of light generated per LED package increases by a factor of 20, for a given wavelength of light. This prediction accounts for periodic price drop of LEDs and ensures the market will mature to the point of overtaking all other options in terms of performance-to-cost savings.

The ongoing optimization will generate affordable purpose-built fixtures specially designed for solid-state lighting sources such as LEDs and even-longer-lasting LED lamps. This allows the correct implementation of LEDs through infrastructures suitable for their unique characteristics. Given the short timeframe before a lighting revolution, investing heavily in new household infrastructure seems like an unwise decision if you’re cost conscientious.

So, is the idea of retrofit LED bulbs bogus, or is it the way to go? Visit TechXchange and let us know your opinion.